Chapter Sixty: A Man of Splendor
The second girl remained silent, her head bowed and eyes lowered, her right hand idly stroking the tiger girl she was holding in her arms.
Han Lu and Xie Mingzhu had been close friends since childhood, so she often got together with the second young lady to play and chat about their private matters. Although not as close as Xie Mingzhu and the second young lady, they were still best friends. Seeing that she remained silent, Han Lu felt a little guilty and said with a smile, "Why isn't Qi'er saying anything? Are you upset with Mingzhu and me?"
The second daughter raised her eyelids, stared blankly at her for a moment, then suddenly laughed mockingly, saying, "How could I dare to be angry with you? I should be thanking you. Mother always told me, 'It's easy to draw a tiger's skin, but hard to draw its bones; you can know a person's face, but not their heart.' But I've always thought that people are born of mothers and fathers, and their hearts are made of flesh and blood. Even if we can't be completely in tune with each other, we can still understand and appreciate each other. That scene just now made me realize that Mother was right all along. I was so foolish before, so terribly wrong, so absurdly wrong. So, how could I be angry with you? You were a wake-up call, a guiding light. I have nothing but gratitude for you." She knew the crisis was over, breathed a sigh of relief, and was no longer guilty. The anger and sadness from being betrayed overwhelmed her, filling her heart, and she couldn't help but speak harshly. By the end, she was almost gritting her teeth, and thinking of their past intimacy, she felt a pang of sorrow, a dark red glint in her eyes.
The atmosphere in the pavilion, which had just eased, became tense again because of these words.
Although they were both young ladies from respectable families, educated from a young age to be gentle and not act impulsively, they were still only fourteen or fifteen years old, young and impetuous, and unable to remain calm. Han Lu blushed with embarrassment, her eyes flashing with anger. Xie Mingzhu's face also turned bright red, filled with shame and anger. She jumped up and pointed at the second young lady, saying, "Why are you being so sarcastic? It's as if we've wronged you. Your embroidery was appreciated by the Empress Dowager. I was just curious and wanted to know the truth. What's wrong with that? We've known each other for years, and I know your character well. Even now, I'm still half-convinced that you embroidered this. You also know my temperament. I despise those who are deceitful."
The Duke of Dingguo's family was known for its strict discipline, simple household, and harmonious wives and concubines. They rarely raised their voices, let alone engaged in the kind of village woman-like behavior of jumping up and pointing fingers at others. All the servants inside and outside the thatched pavilion stared at Xie Mingzhu in astonishment. Gu Jingyi was also surprised, her eyes glued to Xie Mingzhu, finding it both amusing and novel, once again forgetting her duties as a mistress.
Han Lu quickly regained her composure, took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, pulled Xie Mingzhu to sit down, and gently advised, "Mingzhu, don't get angry. They are just strangers. What does it matter how they see us? We should just be clear-headed and have nothing to be ashamed of."
Xie Mingzhu vented her anger, then realized she had been rude, especially in someone else's residence. Overwhelmed with shame, regret, and anger, her eyes immediately reddened, and tears streamed down her face. She said, "What she said is true. She judged people by their appearance, not their hearts. I was blind; I even considered her a sister. Just because her marriage to my second brother didn't go through, she blamed me..." She was so angry she couldn't control her tongue.
Han Lu was startled and quickly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, taking the opportunity to cover her mouth and wink at her.
Xie Mingzhu knew she had been disrespectful again, and felt so dizzy that she wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it.
Ruan Bi shook her head slightly. All the cleverness and wit of the Marquis of Yanping's family had been taken by Consort Xie. The second young lady of the Xie family was indeed exceptionally clever in her speech and actions. Turning to look at the second young lady, she saw that her eyes were red with anger, tears were welling up in her eyes, and her lips were trembling. Seeing that she was about to lose her composure, she quickly sat down and pressed her hand, saying, "Second sister, don't be angry. Let me ask her."
The second girl glanced at her, neither nodding nor speaking.
Ruan Bi turned to Xie Mingzhu and said, "Second Miss Xie, if what you just said were to spread, it would greatly damage my second sister's reputation. So, please explain clearly. When did my second sister begin the engagement process with your second brother? Who was the matchmaker?"
This marriage was never formally arranged; it was just a tacit agreement between the two families. Where could they possibly find a matchmaker? Xie Mingzhu opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a word.
"I'll ask you again, what is your intention in repeatedly slandering my second sister?"
Xie Mingzhu's eyes widened, and she was about to speak.
Han Lu spoke up before her, smiling, "Miss Ruan, perhaps you've misunderstood something. Mingzhu and your second sister are close friends, and it's common for them to bicker and argue. When they get angry, they sometimes can't control their tongues and say hurtful things. I used to get just as anxious as you when I heard that, but I later realized it wasn't true. After a while, the two of them are still a pair of good sisters, laughing and joking around."
Gu Jingyi finally found a topic to talk about and chimed in, "Yes, yes, when I argued with Brother Xiaobai, I said some harsh things too. He even said he would shave all of Xueqiu's fur and make it a monk cat. Luckily he didn't do it, otherwise I would hate him to death."
Can these two incidents be compared? Ruan Bi was somewhat amused and exasperated. However, in today's events, her side hadn't suffered any losses; on the contrary, Xie Mingzhu's frequent loss of composure gave her the upper hand. If this matter escalated, turning into a dispute between the Ruan family and the Marquis of Yanping's family, both being prominent and prestigious families, it would be difficult to back down, and they might even clash. Given the Ruan family's current status, they couldn't possibly win against the Marquis of Yanping's family and might end up humiliated instead of gaining honor. It was better to downplay the matter, attributing it to her young daughter's temper tantrum, thus preserving the dignity of both families and avoiding unnecessary conflict. Furthermore, since this incident occurred within the Duke of Dingguo's residence, Gu Jingyi, as the hostess, had failed in her duty and acted improperly by allowing her guests to quarrel. If this got out, it would also tarnish the reputation of the Duke of Dingguo's family.
So Gu Jingyi's interruption, though unintentional, had a surprising and positive effect.
After careful consideration, Ruan Bi smiled and said, "Miss Han, is there a misunderstanding? My ears can still hear clearly. However, Sister Jingyi invited us to admire the chrysanthemums and enjoy tea. Her hospitality is so kind. Even if my second sister and I could not appreciate the beautiful scenery before us, how could we possibly disappoint her?" She paused, then gracefully stood up, holding her teacup. "Sister Jingyi, let me offer you tea instead of wine to thank you for your hospitality."
The meaning is clear. I know perfectly well whether there's a misunderstanding or not, but for Gu Jingyi's sake (Duke of Dingguo's Mansion), I'll let it go for now. Moreover, I'll directly offer tea instead of wine to Gu Jingyi, giving Han Lu no chance to retaliate—no matter how ignorant she is, she would never interrupt a guest to express respect to the host.
Her words and actions were flawless and impeccable. Everyone looked at her, her red dress billowing, her gentle smile and soft whispers making her seem as if she had just descended from the clouds; a garden full of yellow flowers paled in comparison to her alone.
Gu Jingyi was captivated by her charm and stared at her for a while until the gray-clad nanny standing behind her coughed lightly. Only then did she come back to her senses, raise her cup, stand up, and say with flushed cheeks, "Sister Ruan Wu is too kind. It is my honor to have you sisters accompany me."
Ruan Bi smiled, raised her cup, and took a small sip. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the second young lady give her a slightly annoyed glance, knowing she was displeased with her actions. Considering the second young lady's proud and stubborn nature, and her lack of tact, she knew that staying any longer would easily lead to further entanglement with the headstrong Xie Mingzhu. Setting down her cup, she said, "Jingyi, it's getting late. Second sister and I will take our leave now."
Gu Jingyi was taken aback.
Xie Mingzhu and Han Lu were also slightly taken aback.
The second young lady was annoyed that she had acted on her own initiative, and frowned as she looked at her.
Gu Jingyi looked at the sky and said in a puzzled tone, "Why are we leaving so soon? It's still early."
Naïveness has its advantages and disadvantages; the disadvantage is a lack of adaptability. Things had already gotten so tense, and having the four of them together again would only create an awkward atmosphere. Ruan Bi had offered to leave, and Gu Jingyi should have taken the opportunity to back down, but instead, she obliviously tried to persuade her to stay. The gray-clad matron behind her frowned, but as a servant, she couldn't interrupt, only giving Gu Jingyi a meaningful look.
Gu Jingyi received a meaningful look and thought with annoyance, "Did I say something wrong again?"
Ruan Bi said, "Our home is far from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and it will be almost dark by the time we get back, so we will take our leave now and visit Sister Jingyi another day."
Gu Jingyi nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll see you out."
Ruan Bi shook her head and said, "Jingyi, we've known each other for a while now, so there's no need for all this formality. Besides, Miss Xie and Miss Han are still here. It would be impolite to leave them out to see us off. Just send a maid to lead us to the door, and my second sister and I will come to visit another day."
Gu Jingyi thought it made sense and said, "Alright, Que'er, you can see the two young ladies out."
Que'er responded and walked up to Ruan Bi and the second young lady, bowed, and said, "Ladies, this servant will lead the way for you."
The second young lady glared at Xie Mingzhu, then glared at Ruan Bi, before standing up and walking out in a huff.
Ruan Bi then said, "Miss Han, tomorrow my second sister will send someone to deliver the draft of the Queen Mother of the West's auspicious clouds to your residence. Take a close look, and if you have any questions, please feel free to come and find us."
Han Lu replied without backing down, "Thank you, Fifth Miss. Don't worry, if I have any questions, I will definitely ask you for advice."
Ruan Bi smiled slightly, curtsied to everyone, and then walked out of the thatched pavilion, walking side by side with the second young lady.
The second daughter was really unwilling and said in a low voice, "You just love to make decisions on your own."
Ruan Bi glanced at Que'er, who was leading the way, and glared at her with a frown.
The second daughter knew this wasn't the place to talk, so she suppressed her anger and remained silent.
Just as they passed the bamboo fence, Gu Xiaobai and Anping came from the flower room. Seeing them, they stopped in surprise. Ruan Bi pulled the second young lady to curtsy to him and continued walking.
"Wait, you guys," Gu Xiaobai blurted out.
Ruan Bi stopped in surprise.
The second girl's heart was pounding wildly, and the anger in her stomach vanished without a trace.
Gu Xiaobai glanced at Ruan Bi and asked Que'er, "Que'er, where are you taking them?"
"The two young ladies are about to return home. Shall I see them out of the manor?"
Why did you go back?
The sparrow didn't know how to answer and stood there awkwardly.
Ruan Bi could only say, "It's because it's getting late."
She finally spoke, and although it was just an ordinary sentence, Gu Xiaobai found it exceptionally beautiful. His heart pounded, and he looked up at the sky and said, "It's still early, just past Shenshi (3-5 PM)."
Ruan Bi said politely, "Our Ruan residence is far away, and it will be dark by the time we get back."
"Isn't it just west of Beijing? How far can it be? It's only a quarter of an hour on horseback."
Seeing that he didn't even glance at her, but only looked at Ruan Bi and spoke only to her, the second girl vaguely understood something. Her heart felt like it was being burned by charcoal, while her body felt cold all over.
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